Who May Benefit from Psychiatric Home Care?

You may benefit from Continuum's psychiatric home care services if you have one or more of the following conditions:

Serious and persistent mental illness as well as risk for repeated hospitalizations

A first psychotic episode with a high risk of nonadherence

Exacerbations of chronic schizophrenia and/or affective disorders, including major depression

A history of medication nonadherence

A recent release from hospital care and need of follow-up to prevent relapse

A need for monitoring of a new psychotropic medication

Concomitant medical and psychological problems

Behavioral or emotional problems associated with physical illness

Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia

Confusion following surgery, strokes or cancer treatment or related to medications

Chronic pain and related depression

Alcohol and other drug abuse and/or dependence

Anxiety and/or panic attacks

Somatization disorders

Character/personality disorders experiencing a crisis

Paranoia disorders

Suicidal ideation

Families/caregivers in need of psychosocial support and education

Psychiatric Home Care Services Offered

Services are based on a comprehensive physical, psychological, mental, cognitive, family and environmental assessment of the patient within the home. Interventions are provided by licensed, certified clinical nurse specialists or by nurses with significant experience in psychiatric nursing. Continuum's psychiatric home services include the following:

Psychiatric nursing consultations and evaluations

Psycho-educational approaches with individual, family and groups directed toward increasing the patient's level of knowledge and control over the illness, and enhancing coping skills through:

Symptom and illness management

Medication teaching

Coping skills

Communication skills

Medication administration monitoring and management

Venipuncture and monitoring of blood levels of psychotropic medication

Post-hospitalization follow-up to help in bridging the patient's transition from hospital to community

Identification, coordination and mobilization of the supports needed to maintain the client in the community

Therapeutic interventions, including:

Psychosocial

Supportive therapy

Counseling, individual and family

Relaxation techniques

Life review

Clinical case management

Psychotherapy interventions, including:

Cognitive

Behavioral

Dynamic

Brief therapy

Family therapy

Crisis intervention

Caregiver support and education

Assessment for Psychiatric Home Care Services

Some typical criteria to consider in making a psychiatric home health referral are: